Super Eagle’s of Nigeria have booked their place in the final eight at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast after a sumptuous performance and resounding victory over Central African arch rivals “Cameroon”.
The mouthwatering encounter was played at Felix Houphouet Bogny stadium in Abidjan on Saturday.
It was the first meeting between two sides since 2019 also at this stage.
Super Eagles began the quest with confidence, composure, intensity, energy and determination taken the game to the Indomitable Lions.
It was a cagey encounter as both teams pressed and searched for an opener whenever they’re holding off a possession on the ball.
But it was Nigeria who were the better side in the half hour mark with their compactness and agility on the ball.
Nigeria secured their first goal from an error from Cameroonian defender after he lost possession from a throwing with Victor Osimhen hobbed off the ball from him to lay pass to incoming Ademola Lookman, placing the ball into the nets with Cameroon goalkeeper Ondoa tried to save it but the ball eluded him to go into the nets to give Nigeria the lead.
Indomitable Lions pressed and pressed at least to search for an equalizer but Nigeria remained resolute and focus as referee signaled the end of first half.
And after the restart of the second half, the Central African side improved and better their performance they had in the first half, moving the ball quickly as they search for parity but the West Africans defended altogether with their hearts and souls to tame every efforts from their opponents.
The intensity of the game grown and fired up towards the end as Indomitable Lions thrown more players upfront with their technical area shouting and making gestures whenever they had a free-kick advantage.
Vincent Aboubakar who was making his cameo appearance in this tournament came on in 79th minutes but he was no where to be found on the field as Jose Peseiro quick thinking subbed on an experienced Kenneth Omeruo for Zaidu Sanusi to man mark him.
Nigeria had the several chances to put the game to bed with counter attack but failed to convert those chances as the game grown to the nervy end.
Surprisingly, Nigeria scored the second goal after quick succession from a free-kick with Calvin Bassey and Ademola Lookman.
The Atalanta man gave a pass to Alex Iwobi to lay it down for Bassey to put a cross into the box for Lookman to direct the ball into the nets to extend Nigeria lead in 90th minutes.
Super Eagles players and fans celebrated in wildly jubilation at Felix Houphouet Bogny stadium in Abidjan.
An additional 10 minutes was given by the match officials and Nigeria moved the ball around which can be identified as time management.
The victory over the arch rivals could be turning points for the Super Eagles as they are questing for the fourth African titles and will face Pelanca Nagres of Angola who had earlier defeated Namibia by 3-0.
The match is slated for Friday, February 2nd at the same venue.
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